Why Is a Balanced Diet Important?

With all the diet fads, foods, and programs on the market, it is easy to confuse a healthy diet with dieting purely for weight loss. The importance of a balance diet can be measured in the body's immune system, as well as dental, physical and mental health.

Prevention/Solution

• The body's immune system protects and defends against bacteria, viral infections and other harmful matters. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the immune system can be fortified by increasing antioxidants, nutrients, and micronutrients. A weakened immune system leaves you vulnerable to illness and disease.

Risks of Sugar

• Sweets add no nutritional value to your diet, and if your diet contains foods or drinks high in sugars they can contribute to dental problems, such as dental decay. Additionally, a diet deficient in calcium and magnesium can quickly result in dental problems.

Effects of Diet on General Health

• The physical and mental effects of a poor diet are vast. From heart disease to migraines, diet can contribute to a wide array of health issues. In contrast, getting on a balanced diet can make a remarkable difference in conditions such as diabetes, digestive disorders, depression, and hyperactivity disorders.

Identification

• The daily intake of food should be measured against the U.S. Department of Agriculture's food pyramid. The pyramid is a diagram which shows how many portions of each food group you should include in your daily diet. Used in conjunction with the your individual dietary guidelines as provided by your physician, the food pyramid can help target areas where your diet is deficient. Find a link to the guidelines in Resources.

Potential

• Stress, lack of sleep, and being overweight contribute to many health issues. A diet properly apportioned among the essential food groups has the added potential to reduce stress, improve sleep, increase energy, and help you maintain your ideal weight.